Every time I think of Israel’s premiere food manufacturer, their old radio jingle immediately comes to mind: Zeh tov, zeh tov, zeh Osem! (It’s good, it’s good, it’s OSEM!). The company says the name OSEM was chosen because it was part of the Kohen Godol‘s prayer on Yom Kippur: “May this be a year of osem.” The prayer asks for a year of plenty, a year of abundance, of prosperity and wealth. Today OSEM is the leading food producing company in Israel and it is majority owned (51%) by Nestlé S.A. of Switzerland.

I strongly suspect that since “osem“ sounds a lot like the average Israeli’s pronunciation of the English word awesome it may just have something to do with the name choice, unless… unless… it’s an OSEM coincidence… of course.

The company was founded in 1942, 6 years before the establishment of the State in 1948. OSEM whose products have long been available in the US, has now introduced some new Passover items. They make Shmurah, Regular, Whole Wheat, Egg, Egg & Onion, Rye and Light Matzah, Matzhah Ball Mix, Matzah Farfel (regular and whole wheat), Matzah Meal (regular and whole wheat), Matzah Cake Mix and three different flavors of Chocolate Covered Matzah (Raspberry, Orange and Plain). Other kosher for Passover products include two of Israel’s most cherished children’s food products: Bamba (for those who eat kitnyiot only!), and all of Bisli‘s 6 flavors. They also make non-gebroks Soup Croutons, Pickles in Vinegar and Chik Chak Twisted Marshmallows.

Two of my grandkids were visiting and they wasted no time disposing of both the Bamba and the Bissli (just as I expected), they were disappointed there was only one bag of each. Their verdict was quite obvious when these bona fide kids’ snacks connoisseurs screamed out in unison: “More, zeyde, more!”

I found the Marble Cake very moist and flavorful, it also didn’t last long; the Orange Flavored Chocolate Coated Matzah was interesting. Over Shabbat I’ll savor the croutons. Meanwhile, I can’t wait to taste their Shmurah Matzah on Pessach